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You will have noticed that the address of this list has changed from mailbase to [log in to unmask] This signifies the outcome of an inter-governmental competitive tendering process that has resulted in a kind of globalisation of the list. Everyone hopes and expects that the transition will be smooth and gradual. As with changing telephone codes - for a period of up to six months there will be automatic translation of Mailbase commands and addresses into the corresponding LISTERV commands and addresses. But after that time we will be expected to have become familiar with the new facility. The LISTSERV software is supported by CLRC - the Central Laboratories of the Research Councils. The acronym JISC stands for Joint Information System Committee. The JISC are responsible for the JANET physical network that has supported the mailbase system and other forms of inter-university telecoms for some decades. The LISTSERV software has a greater range of facilities than the Mailbase system, and has become a worldwide standard. We are now using a system that with 42,000 public lists . The downside is that LISTSERV software that was originally developed in the 1980s to run on IBM computers and it does not seem to have quite the user-friendliness of later software. (If you want to know all and really want to be in control you can get copies of the LISTSERV manuals that are downloadable from the website at <http://www.lsoft.com/>) Most of us can expect to get guidance to smooth over the transition. Just note that messages to the list should be addressed to [log in to unmask] and messages about joining and leaving the list need to be sent to [log in to unmask] rather than to Mailbase. For matters such as problems with changing your address and posting files to the list you should continue to contact me as list-owner. But if you have any other problems with the transition you should first have a look at the JISC website at <http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/contact_us.htm>. Ray Thomas, Social Sciences, Open University Tel: 01908 679081 Fax 01908 550401 Email: [log in to unmask] 35 Passmore, Milton Keynes MK6 3DY